Go Big, Go Home, Or do something else?
Today, I think we should talk about the question on everyone’s mind, does size matter?
Well, in the case of photographs, the answer is sometimes yes! Sometimes, bigger is better!
I have often noted, that some images have good impact, even when they’re small. These are the images that attract attention on social media, and usually do well as a result. They have the impact to be seen on the tiny screen in which we tend to view the world these days. As I surf the world of images on my smart phone, the impact of the image is sometimes lost due to the size of the screen on which I’m viewing it. It simply cannot be appreciated; and sometimes falls short to grab attention. Does this mean this image is not good? It doesn’t have the wow factor or more to explore? I don’t think so. I just think it’s for a bigger placement.
I sit here at my desk and edit on a 27 inch high definition colour calibrated screen with nice back lighting and the benefit of only being a few inches from my face. When I edit my images I fall into the world I am creating on screen. I love the details I can see and the tones I am producing. But does this translate to the miniture world of the iphone and social media? Well, in some cases, and in my case, no is usually the answer!
I like, in fact I love, my work to be printed, and printed large! Sometimes the bigger the better. This way the viewer is able to see what I am seeing when I produce the work, appreciate the details and fall into the created world. This is where I always think my impact is. It’s not the social media size, it’s larger than life gallery style work that I produce. Striking a balance between the two is very hard to do.
With this in mind, what can I do? Should I adapt my style and think about the impact of my images when they are only a couple of inches across? Or should I change everything to only make work that can have impact at multiple scales? I don’t believe I should do this.
Thinking on my project and recent portfolio, I of course was thinking about outlets for the work. Again, looking at the images, they have the best chance when viewed large, so a book of which I can control the size of the image and it’s rendition is a good way to go, but also, the gallery space with large prints so viewers can immerse themselves, much as I do when I create it.
Another thought I had, is why do these images only need to live in my mind and the expression of it that I have presented? Why not actually take my archival images onto the streets, put them where they were shot, place them around the city. But also not only my images of childhood, open this project up to the wider public and curate more images to be used around the city. I see this as a great outlet for these old photographs to be seen and enjoyed for what they are, but also as a nostalgic cue as we go about our daily lives…
I can really see that this art experiment would have the positive effect of lifting spirits as we all come out from behind the current COVID restrictions and back on to the streets, provide curiosity and experiences of nostalgia to the greater public. Nostalgia has a lot of benefits for us a individuals. It enables us to feel more connected to the people around us when we are feeling isolated, bringing stronger and better bonds with our communities. It also helps with feelings of sadness and in times of emotional stress, we connect to our past and therefore are stronger and more able to deal with life and the future. What better way to help relieve the stresses of lockdown, restrictions being lifted and all the other turmoil of the past years than flooding the streets with this project?
